50 Cent Explains His Evolution As An Actor + Video

After plenty of tough-guy roles, 50 Cent says he had to create his own character in "Things Fall Apart" to get outside of his comfort zone. As far back as his days playing an extra in the Onyx music video, “React,” 50 Cent has always essentially portrayed the same character—the cliché, no-nonsense tough guy. Even with the commercial success of Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which grossed over $12 million during its opening weekend, 50 Cent played an exaggerated version of himself. His decision to go by his government name of Curtis Jackson for movie roles hints at a desire to improve his acting chops, and 50 says he’s been learning from some A-list co-stars.

“I had a really blessed situation,” 50 recently told NBC’s Peter Bailey. “I’ve been able to work with the likes of Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino in Righteous Kill. I worked with Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Biel in Home of the Brave…it feels like I’m just going up.

The film Things Fall Apart, which 50 co-wrote and stars in, was inspired by one of 50’s childhood friends who died of cancer. He says the story both somewhat mirrors the experience and gives him the opportunity to move to a different genre.

“It’s the first time I’ve been in a family drama,” 50 added. “If you’re going to act, you have to be something that’s outside of what’s comfortable for you.”

As an actor, 50’s newfound diversity may be short-lived. His next role in Blood Out, sees him portraying the character Hardwick, who has to face off with a rogue cop out for revenge.

Video: 50 Cent Releases "Things Fall Apart" Trailer

Things Fall Apart has been drawing attention since the summer of 2010, when photos emerged of an emaciated 50 Cent; the rapper lost over 60 pounds preparing for the role.




As Barnes, 50 plays the role of a top-tier college football player who is stricken with cancer. Prior to playing the scrawny version of Barnes, who was presumably undergoing radiation treatment and/or chemotherapy, 50 portrays a dreadlocked version of the lead character. According to Fif, a personal friend with cancer inspired the story. Things Fall Apart is one of several films created under 50 Cent’s Cheetah Vision imprint—part of a $200 million joint venture with Lions Gate.

By attempting to transform himself from a 35-year-old to a Heisman hopeful in his early 20’s, can 50 Cent increase his acting profile? So far, according to Metacritic.com, which averages dozens of individual movie ratings from top critics, 50 Cent’s last three theatrical releases scored an average of 41 out of a possible 100. 50 briefly spoke about the movie at the Miami International Film Festival.


“I hope people get a chance to get to see how excited I am about challenging myself in different ways,” 50 explained. “Because it’s not an action film—it’s a family drama—I was advised not to do it.”